Laser-operated light source

ABSTRACT

A laser-operated light source encompasses a chamber for accommodating an ionizable gas and an ignition source for ionizing the gas in the chamber for generating a plasma. The light source furthermore encompasses a laser for inputting laser energy into the plasma such that, under the impact of the laser radiation, the plasma emits useful light, which forms the output signal of the light source, wherein provision is made for means for coupling the useful light into a transferring optical fiber. In the case of the light source according to the invention, at least one mode scrambler is assigned to the optical fiber or the optical fibers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to laser-operated light sources.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of German Patent Application serial number 10 2013 110 390.1, filed Sep. 20, 2013, entitled “Laser-Operated Light Source,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Laser-operated light sources are generally known and are used in spectroscopy or surface inspection, for example for measuring purposes. In some instances, these laser-operated light sources can include a chamber for accommodating a gaseous medium that is used to generate plasma. The plasma, in response to being irradiated with laser radiation, can emit radiation that is useable in connection with a various processes in the semiconductor industry, as well as other industries.

A need exists for technology that can produce light with enhanced homeneity for use in applications such as these.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a laser-operated light source.

A laser-operated light source is disclosed that includes a chamber for accommodating an ionizable gas, an ignition source for ionizing the ionizable gas in the chamber for generating a plasma, a laser for inputting laser energy into the plasma. Under the impact of the laser energy, the plasma emits light (e.g., having a wavelength between 400 nm and 950 nm). One or more optical fibers are configured to carry the light emitted by the plasma to a location for use in connection with a process. At least one mode scrambler associated with the one or more optical fibers.

In some implementations, the at least one mode scrambler includes: a first mode scrambler configured to bend the one or more optical fibers to a first bend radius; and a second mode scrambler configured to bend the one or more optical fibers to a second bend radius. The first bend radius may be different (e.g., larger) than the second bend radius.

The laser-operated light sources, which will also be referred to in short as light sources hereinbelow, encompass a chamber for accommodating an ionizable gas, which can be a noble gas, for example. The light sources furthermore encompass an ignition source for ionizing the gas in the chamber for generating a plasma, where the ignition source can be formed by means of an electrode pair, for example. Other ignition sources, however, are also possible. The light sources furthermore encompass a laser for inputting laser energy into the plasma such that, under the impact of the laser radiation, the plasma generates useful light, which forms the output signal of the light source. For transferring the useful light to a downstream process, for example in the case of spectroscopy or surface inspection, the light sources encompass means for coupling the useful light into a transferring optical fiber, which can be formed by means of a fiber coupler, for example.

Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the light source, among others, can be implemented as follows. The laser-operated light source has a chamber for accommodating an ionizable gas, an ignition source for ionizing the gas in the chamber for generating a plasma, a laser for inputting laser energy into the plasma such that, under the impact of the laser radiation, the plasma emits useful light, which forms the output signal of the light source, and means for coupling the useful light into at least one transferring optical fiber. At least one mode scrambler is assigned to the optical fiber and the optical fibers.

In a typical implementation, a mode scrambler is a device that induces mode mixing in one or more optical fibers. More particularly, in a typical implementation, a mode is configured to physically bend one or more optical fibers. Mode scramblers can have a variety of different physical configurations including, for example, the configurations shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the present application and discussed herein.

In some implementations, the concepts disclosed herein can improve optical quality of light from a laser-operated light source. More particularly, in a typical implementation, the improved quality can be embodied by a high degree of homogeneity (e.g., angular homogeneity). Angular homogeneity refers generally to the degree of uniformity in light intensity that is being delivered for example to an end process (e.g., a surface inspection process), across a range of angles. The range of angles can vary from application to application depending, for example, on the size and configuration of the aperture through which the light is being delivered. In one example, the angular range is approximately 14 degrees (e.g., between about 10 degrees and 20 degrees), but, of course, other angular ranges are possible as well.

One or more of the concepts disclosed herein are based on the knowledge that the characteristics of laser-operated light sources are in practice often affected negatively in that the light emitted by the light source, measured by the demands of a downstream process, for example in the case of spectroscopy or surface inspection, does not encompass a sufficient angular homogeneity. The invention is accordingly based on the idea of improving the angular homogeneity of the light emitted by the light source. For this purpose, the invention provides for at least one mode scrambler to be assigned to the optical fiber, which transfers the light generated by the light source to a downstream process.

It turned out that particularly advantageous characteristics result in response to the use of a mode scrambler.

A significant advantage of the invention is that a significantly improved angular homogeneity and stability of the homogeneity of the light results in response to the use of a mode scrambler, so that negative impacts, which are based on an inhomogeneity on the light, on the measuring process and negative impacts to the optical quality of the light source are avoided or at least reduced. This has an extremely positive effect on the quality of downstream processes, for example in the semiconductor industry.

A further advantage of the invention is that suitable mode scramblers are able to be obtained as relatively simple and cost-effective components, partly also as standard components, so that an improvement of the functional reliability of the light source can be attained by using a relatively small amount of equipment.

On the one hand, the angle homogeneity, thus the uniformity with regard to the intensity of light beams emitted by the optical fibers under different angles, improves in response to the use of a mode scrambler. On the other hand, the sensitivity of the angle homogeneity on variations of the plasma is reduced.

According to the invention, it is sufficient, on principle, when an individual mode scrambler is assigned to the optical fiber. To further improve the homogeneity of the light, an advantageous further development of the invention provides for at least a first mode scrambler and at least a second mode scrambler to be assigned to the optical fiber, consecutively in fiber direction. Shape, size and design of the mode scramblers can be chosen in accordance with the respective demands within wide ranges. In this respect, an advantageous further development of the invention provides for the first mode scrambler of the optical fiber to impress curvatures comprising a larger first radius of curvature onto the optical fiber, while the second mode scrambler impresses curvatures comprising a smaller second radius of curvature onto the optical fiber. It turned out that the homogeneity of the light can be further improved in this manner.

With regard to the embodiment of the mode scrambler, an advantageous further development of the invention provides for at least one of the mode scramblers to be embodied as a winding device, around which the optical fiber or the optical fibers can be wound or are wound, respectively, generate curvatures, which alternate in fiber direction, in a plurality of windings. Such winding devices can be produced in a simple and cost-efficient manner and encompass a high effectiveness in terms of the desired purpose, namely of homogenizing the light.

Another advantageous further development of the invention provides for at least one of the mode scramblers, in particular the second mode scrambler, to be embodied as clamping device comprising two clamping plates, between which the optical fiber or the optical fibers can be clamped such that a meandering course is or will be impressed onto the optical fiber or the optical fibers. Such mode scramblers can also be produced in a relatively simple and cost-efficient manner and encompass a high effectiveness.

An extremely advantageous further development of the invention provides for the first mode scrambler to be embodied as winding device, which impresses curvatures comprising the larger first radius of curvature onto the optical fiber or the optical fibers, while the second mode scrambler is arranged downstream from the first mode scrambler in propagation direction of the light and is embodied as clamping device, which impresses curvatures comprising a smaller radius of curvature onto the optical fiber or the optical fibers. It turned out that a particularly good homogeneity of the light can be attained in this manner. On principle, however, it is also possible to interchange the mode scramblers in the above-mentioned configuration and to arrange a mode scrambler, which is embodied as winding device, downstream from a mode scrambler, which is embodied as a clamping device.

Regardless of the embodiment of the mode scramblers, another advantageous further development of the invention provides for the first mode scrambler to be arranged upstream of the second mode scrambler in propagation direction of the light.

Another extremely advantageous further development of the invention provides for provision to be made for two optical fibers, to which the mode scrambler or the mode scramblers is/are assigned, wherein a further optical fiber comprising a larger diameter is connected upstream of the optical fibers. Surprisingly, it turned out that the homogeneity of the light can further be improved significantly in this manner, in particular with regard to the angle distribution. A constellation, in the case of which the further optical fiber is connected upstream of the optical fibers on the one hand and in the case of which, on the other hand, a mode scrambler, which is embodied as winding device, is assigned initially, and, behind it, a mode scrambler, which is embodied as clamping device, to the optical fibers consecutively in propagation direction of the light.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be explained in more detail below by means of the enclosed highly diagrammed drawing, in which an exemplary embodiment of a light source according to the invention is illustrated. All of the described features, which are illustrated in the drawing and which are claimed in the patent claims, thereby form the subject matter of the invention, either alone as well as in any suitable combination with one another, regardless of their combination in the patent claims and regardless of their dependency as well as regardless of the description or illustration thereof in the drawings, respectively.

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a light source according to the invention in a highly diagrammed and block diagram-like manner.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a first mode scrambler, which is used in the case of the light source according to FIG. 1, in a highly diagrammed manner.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a second mode scrambler used in the case of the light source according to FIG. 1, in a highly diagrammed manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of a laser-operated light source 2 according to the invention, which, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, serves to generate useful light in the visible wavelength range, is illustrated in FIG. 1 in a highly diagrammed manner. In general, the phrase “useful light,” or the like, as used herein, should be interpreted broadly to include any type of light that is useful for the process that the light is being delivered to. Examples include various processes in the semiconductor industry. In a typical implementation, light may be considered useful for a particular process if it is highly homogenous (e.g., over a range of angles that is suitable for the intended purpose), if it is sufficiently intense for the intended purpose, and if it is generally within a range of wavelengths that are suitable for the intended purpose. In some implementations, for example, the range of wavelengths suitable for the intended purpose extends from about 400 nm to 950 nm. In some implementations, the range of wavelengths suitable for the intended purpose extends between 400 nm to 765 nm).

The light source encompasses a chamber 4 for accommodating an ionizable gas, which is formed by Xenon in the case of the illustrated exemplary embodiment. The light source 2 furthermore encompasses an ignition source for ionizing the gas in the chamber 4 for generating a plasma 6, which is suggested diagrammatically in the drawing, wherein the ignition source is formed by a pair of electrodes 8, 10 in the case of this exemplary embodiment. The light source 2 furthermore encompasses a laser 12 for inputting laser energy into the plasma 6 such that the plasma emits useful light, which forms the output signal of the light source 2, under the impact of the laser radiation.

Although Xenon is disclosed as the gas inside the chamber 4 in the foregoing exemplary implementation, in other implementations, gases other than, or in addition to, Xenon may be used as well. In general, the gas inside the chamber 4 can be any type of gas that is able to generate plasma, under appropriate conditions, that will emit useful light in response to the laser radiation. In some implementations, the gas may include one or more noble gases.

In addition to the useful light, the plasma might possibly emit stray radiation, which, however, is of no further interest in the context according to the invention, which is considered herein, and which will thus not be considered in detail herein. For blocking the stray radiation, the light source 2 can encompass corresponding means, for example at its lamp housing 14.

For the sake of clarity, optical components of the light source 2, which serve in particular for beam steering and beam formation, of the laser radiation as well as of the emitted light, for example in the form of lenses and mirrors, have been omitted in FIG. 1.

Although the light source disclosed herein is a laser-operated light source, in some implementations, other light sources that are not laser-operated, may be used instead. The light source 2 furthermore encompasses means for coupling the useful light into a transferring optical fiber arrangement 16, wherein said means encompass a fiber coupler 18, which is only arranged schematically, in the case of the illustrated exemplary embodiment.

For transferring the useful light, the optical fiber arrangement 16 encompasses optical fibers 20, 20′, which are guided parallel to one another and which guide the same useful signal with a homogeneity and intensity, which is substantially identical, if possible, which can be of significant importance in a downstream process, for example. In some implementations, the optical fibers are guided. In other implementations, they are simply arranged relative to each other so as to follow substantially parallel paths.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, two optical fibers 20, 20′ pass through the first and second mode scramblers 22, 24. The number of optical fibers that pass through the first and second mode scramblers 22, 24 can vary. For example, in some implementations, only one optical fiber may pass through the first and second mode scramblers 22, 24. In some implementations, more than two optical fibers 20, 20′ may pass through the first and second mode scramblers 22, 24.

In a typical implementation, the optical fibers (e.g., 20, 20′) that pass through the first and second mode scramblers 22, 24 are substantially similar to each other. For example, in a typical implementation, each of these optical fibers has substantially the same diameter as the other.

According to the example, at least one mode scrambler is assigned to the optical fibers 20, 20′. In the case of the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a first mode scrambler 22 is assigned to the optical fibers 20, 20′, to which a second mode scrambler 24 is assigned in propagation direction of the light.

In the case of the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first mode scrambler 24 impresses curvatures comprising a larger first radius of curvature onto the optical fibers 20, 20′, while the second mode scrambler 24 impresses curvatures comprising a smaller second radius of curvature onto the optical fibers 20, 20′. In general, the larger first radius is larger than the smaller second radius. The actual dimensions of the larger first radius and the smaller second radius may depend, for example, on the size of the optical fibers. In one exemplary implementation, the larger radius is approximately 150 mm and the smaller radius is a few mm (e.g., 3 mm) Of course, these specific values can vary as well. In some implementations, for example, the larger radius can range from 125 mm to 175 mm and the smaller radius can vary from 1 mm to 5 mm.

In the case of the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first mode scrambler 22 is embodied as a winding device, around which the optical fibers 20, 20′ can be wound in a plurality of windings for generating curvatures, which alternate in fiber direction. In some implementations, each optical fiber may be wrapped around the winding device more than once. Moreover, in some implementations, one fiber may be wrapped around the winding device in first direction (e.g., clockwise), while the other fiber is wrapped around the winding device in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) that is opposite the first direction.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a corresponding winding device 26, which encompasses two winding elements 30, 30′, which are connected to one another via a web 28. In some implementations, the winding device 26 is formed as a single physical piece. In some implementations, the winding device is formed from different pieces physically attached to one another. It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the optical fibers 20, 20′, which, for the sake of clarity, are illustrated in FIG. 2 as a single optical fiber, can be wound around the winding device 26 with alternating curvatures. For the sake of clarity, only a single winding is illustrated in FIG. 2. In practice, the optical fibers 20, 20′ are wound around the winding device 26 in a plurality of windings.

In a typical implementation, there is a piece (not) surrounding the portion of the optical fiber that is wrapped around the winding device that helps ensure that the optical fiber follows the path indicated, along the outer contours of the winding device 26.

The embodiment of the winding device 26 according to FIG. 2 is only an example. Other winding devices can also be used. The overall winding device can have different sizes and the parts of the winding device can have different sizes relative to other parts. The overall shape of the winding device can differ from what is shown in FIG. 2 as well. For example, in some implementations, the winding device can have a heart shape. In some implementations, the winding device can have a kidney shape.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the second mode scrambler 24, which, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, is embodied as clamping device 32 comprising two clamping plates 34, 34′, between which the optical fibers 20, 20′, which, for the sake of clarity, are illustrated in FIG. 3 again as single optical fibers are clamped, so that a meandering course comprising a smaller second radius of curvature is or will be impressed onto the optical fibers 20, 20′.

As is suggested in FIG. 3 by means of an arrow 36, the selection of the force, by means of which the optical fibers 20, 20′ are clamped between the clamping plates 34, 34′, it can be selected, how strongly the optical fibers 20, 20′ are deformed, thus how large the second radius of curvature is. This provides for optimization of the homogeneity characteristics of the light of the light source 2, which is delivered to the downstream process from the optical fibers.

In the illustrated example, the inner surface of the upper clamping plate and the inner surface of the lower clamping plate are contoured to follow in cross-section a substantially sinusoidal path along the direction that the optical fiber passes through the clamping device 32. The sinusoidal path that the inner surface of the upper clamping plate follows is configured so that it can intimately mate with the complementary sinusoidal path that inner surface of the lower clamping plate follows. In a typical implementation, the overall length of the clamping device 32 is approximately 2-3 cm. The sinusoidal path in the exemplary configuration has four peaks. However, the number of peaks can vary, for example, between 1 peak to 7 peaks or more. In various implementations, the period and amplitude of the sinusoidal paths can vary. For example, in some implementations, the period of the sinusoidal paths can be between about 0.5 cm and 2 cm. Moreover, in some implementations, the amplitude can be up to 1 cm. Moreover, in various implementations, the path may not be sinusoidal at all—instead, it may be a saw tooth pattern, a square pattern, or the like.

In the case of the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a further optical fiber 38 comprising a larger diameter is connected upstream of the optical fibers 20, 20′. In a typical implementation, the single optical fiber 38 is connected to the pair of optical fibers 20, 20′ with a fiber optical coupler. In general, a fiber optic coupler is a device used in optical fiber systems with one or more input fibers and one or several output fibers.

Via the fiber coupler 18, the useful light of the light source 2 is thus initially coupled into the further optical fiber 38 comprising a larger diameter and is transferred from it into the optical fibers 20, 20′.

It turned out that in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, in the case of which two mode scramblers 22, 24 as well as an optical fiber 38, which is connected upstream and which comprises a larger diameter, are used, a particularly good homogenization of the light follows, which applies for the surface homogeneity as well as for the angle homogeneity of the light. In general, surface homogeneity refers to the degree of uniformity in light intensity that is being delivered for example to an end process (e.g., a surface inspection process), across a range of angles. The light homogenized in this manner is supplied to a downstream process, for example in the semiconductor industry. The downstream process is symbolized with reference numeral 40 in FIG. 1. The downstream process can be virtually any process that utilizes the light delivered to the downstream process. Examples include spectroscopy or surface inspection, for example for measuring purposes.

A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Other implementations are within the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A laser-operated light source, comprising: a chamber for accommodating an ionizable gas; an ignition source for ionizing the gas in the chamber for generating a plasma; a laser for inputting laser energy into the plasma such that, under the impact of the laser radiation, the plasma emits useful light, which forms an output signal of the light source; means for coupling the useful light into at least one transferring optical fiber; and at least one mode scrambler assigned to the optical fiber and the optical fibers.
 2. The light source according to claim 1, wherein at least a first mode scrambler and at least a second mode scrambler are assigned to the optical fiber or the optical fibers, consecutively in fiber direction.
 3. The light source according to claim 2, wherein the first mode scrambler impresses curvatures comprising a larger first radius of curvature onto the optical fiber or the optical fibers, while the second mode scrambler impresses curvatures comprising a smaller second radius of curvature onto the optical fiber or the optical fibers.
 4. The light source according to claim 2, wherein at least one mode scrambler, in particular the first mode scrambler, is embodied as a winding device, around which the optical fiber or the optical fibers can be wound or are wound, respectively, for generating alternating curvatures consecutively in fiber direction, in a plurality of windings.
 5. The light source according to claim 2, wherein at least one mode scrambler, in particular the second mode scrambler, is embodied as a clamping device comprising two clamping plates, between which the optical fiber or the optical fibers can be clamped such that a meandering course is or will be impressed onto the optical fiber or the optical fibers.
 6. The light source according to claim 4, wherein the first mode scrambler is embodied as a winding device, which impresses curvatures comprising the larger first radius of curvature onto the optical fiber or the optical fibers, and to which the second mode scrambler, which is embodied as a clamping device, is arranged downstream from said first mode scrambler and impresses curvatures comprising the smaller second radius of curvature onto the optical fiber or the optical fibers.
 7. The light source according to claim 2, wherein the first mode scrambler is arranged upstream of the second mode scrambler in propagation direction of the light.
 8. The light source according to claim 2, wherein provision is made for two optical fibers, to which the mode scrambler or the mode scramblers is/are assigned, wherein a further optical fiber comprising a larger diameter is connected upstream of the optical fibers.
 9. The light source according to claim 1, wherein the useful light is light having a wavelength between 400 nm and 950 nm.
 10. A laser-operated light source, comprising: a chamber for accommodating an ionizable gas; an ignition source for ionizing the ionizable gas in the chamber for generating a plasma; a laser for inputting laser energy into the plasma such that, under the impact of the laser energy, the plasma emits light having a wavelength between 400 nm and 950 nm; one or more optical fibers configured to carry the light from the emitted by the plasma to a process; and at least one mode scrambler associated with the one or more optical fibers.
 11. The laser-operated light source of claim 10, wherein the at least one mode scrambler comprises: a first mode scrambler configured to bend the one or more optical fibers to a first bend radius; and a second mode scrambler configured to bend the one or more optical fibers to a second bend radius, wherein the first bend radius is different than the second bend radius.
 12. The laser-operated light source of claim 10, wherein the first bend radius is larger than the second bend radius.
 13. A method comprising: igniting an ionizable gas inside a chamber with an ignition source to generate a plasma; inputting laser energy to the plasma such that, under the impact of the laser radiation, the plasma emits light, which forms an output signal of the light source; passing the light into at least one optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber passes through at least one mode scrambler. 